Cows graze near the upper Taieri River last month. Photo by
Diane Brown.
The Otago Regional Council is investigating complaints
that up to 1000 dairy cows were grazing in ponds close to the
Taieri River at Patearoa.
ORC compliance manager Martin King said the Otago Fish and
Game Council reported the incidents to the regional council
for investigation over the past couple of weeks.
A duck shooter, who did not want to be identified, told the
Otago Daily Times he had seen dairy cows grazing in large
ponds near the Taieri River at Patearoa on three consecutive
weekends in June.
Concerns were raised about the possibility of effluent from
the cows being discharged into the waterway, and of
surrounding land being damaged by the stock.
Mr King said the council was investigating and staff members
were exploring the area in question.
Such complaints were often difficult to resolve, as by the
time council staff investigated certain areas, cows had been
moved to different ground.
"It is not the first time we have had this reported to us and
each time we investigated it, the cows have been outside of
the [waterway] zone.
"Under our rules farmers can put stock in such areas as long
as it doesn't cause pugging, damage river banks, or create
effluent in the water," Mr King said.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.